Overview
The best medicine for sinus drainage can be nasal decongestants, nasal sprays, antihistamines (anti-allergy), antibiotics, and nasal irrigation techniques depending on the cause of mucus buildup and inflammation leading to sinus drainage. Causes can vary from environmental allergens, sinus infection, common cold or flu, and deviated septum. To identify the right cause, consult a healthcare provider, who will eventually help you relieve the sinus drainage due to any cause. Over-the-counter medications are also considered good options for temporary relief from mucus congestion and excessive sinus drainage.
What does a lot of sinus drainage mean?
A lot of sinus drainage can be caused by a number of reasons, some serious and some common. Some of the most common reasons are allergic rhinitis, sinus infection (sinusitis), common cold or flu, postnasal drip, deviated septum, nasal polyps, and environmental irritants.
Sinus infections (Sinusitis) can be a cause
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses that can be caused by bacterias, viruses, or fungi that usually irritates alot. This inflammation, irritation, and itching lead to excessive sinus drainage in the individuals, leading to nasal congestion as well. Treatment options for sinus infections depend on the nature of the infection diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
It can be Allergic rhinitis
Exposure to environmental allergens like dust, smoke, and pet dander can trigger the human immune system. When triggered, this system can release several chemicals, including histamines, which eventually lead to a lot of sinus drainage. Treatment for allergic rhinitis usually involves antihistamines prescribed by a healthcare provider according to what suits the patient best.
Common colds and flu can also be the cause
Common cold and flu in an individual can vary from person to person regarding sinus drainage. Viral infections like colds irritate the nasal passages accompanied by sneezing, which also triggers the body’s immune system to produce different chemicals. This can also be one of the leading causes of excessive sinus drainage. Treatment of the common cold and flu can vary from simple home remedies like ginger tea to prescription antiviral medications that treat the common cold and flu effectively.
Postnasal drip can cause sinus drainage
Nasal drips and postnasal drips can cause excessive sinus drainage. Excess mucus also drips back into the throat after a nasal drip, leading to congestion. In these cases, healthcare providers prescribe decongestants.
Postnasal drips can also lead to allergic rhinitis and entrapment of dust and pollen.
Sinus drainage can be due to deviated septum
A deviated septum, also known as a misaligned septum, can be one of the leading causes of continuous sinus drainage and obstruction of normal airflow. It can also cause chronic congestion.
The best treatment option for a deviated septum is an operating procedure to treat the misalignment. Different decongestants can also be prescribed to relieve the symptoms and control excessive sinus drainage.
Environmental Irritants also cause sinus drainage
Environmental irritants like dust, pollen, and animal dander can also be some of the leading causes of allergies that cause excessive sinus drainage. In such cases, the body detects foreign objects like allergens entering and produces excess mucus in the nostrils and nose cavities to entrap the objects and prevent them from entering the body. This excessive mucus production can cause sinus drainage.
Treatment options include antihistamines prescribed by the healthcare provider after the consultation that are best suited.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Stomach acid that flows back into the esophagus can irritate the throat and nasal passages, leading to increased mucus production and postnasal drip. A healthcare provider can only determine treatment options and a prescription for GERD after completing a complete diagnosis of the medical condition.
What is the best medicine to stop sinus drainage?
The treatment options and medicine vary according to the cause of sinus or mucus drainage. Some of the most considered and prescribed options for sinus drainage are :
- Nasal decongestants help shrink blood vessels and can reduce inflammation and sinus drainage. Some nasal decongestants are also available over the counter, including Afrin, Sudafed, and Mucinex, while some are prescription drugs that require diagnosis before prescription dispensing.
It’s also recommended to not use any nasal decongestants (OTC) more than 3 days as they might cause any potential side effects. Its essential to connect with an online doctor for diagnosis and prescription.
- Corticosteroids are medications that provide immediate and effective relief from postnasal drip, inflammation, and sinus drainage symptoms. They are present in different dosage forms, including nasal sprays and oral medication.
- Nasal irrigation is not actually a medication but a procedure by which nasal passages can be cleared out using a flushing technique. It can also help clear out all the excessive mucus buildup, eventually relieving the symptoms of nasal or sinus drainage, including relief from inflammation and swelling.
- Antihistamines can also be the best and go-to option in case of allergies that trigger the body’s response to produce histamine in excessive amounts. Some of the antihistamines are also available over the counter, which can reduce the symptoms of allergy, including sinus drainage, but getting the right prescription for antihistamines is considered more suitable for your needs. Antihistamines are classified into two broad classifications: Drowsy and nondrowsy.
Getting a prescription antihistamine can help you get the medicine that suits your daily needs without disrupting your daily life activities.
- Antibiotics are the good and most considered options in case of sinus drainage due to bacterial infections. The presence of bacterial infection followed by an increase in body temperature can be felt, after which the appropriate and timely consultation is needed. Only a healthcare provider can determine the right cause of bacterial infection and prescribe you the right set of antibiotics.
Which nasal spray is best for sinusitis?
Salina nasal sprays and steroid sprays are considered the best options for sinusitis. Saline nasal sprays are over-the-counter and do not require a prescription. Examples include simple salines and Ocean Nasal Sprays.
On the other hand not all the steroid sprays are avialble over the counter except those having low doses e.g.Flonase (Fluticasone), Nasacort (Triamcinolone). Some of the mostly recommended and prescribed steroid sprays are Nasonex (Mometasone),Veramyst (Fluticasone furoate) and Beconase AQ (Beclomethasone) that require prescription.
What’s the best sinus medicine over the counter?
Some of the best sinus medicines available over the counter are:
- Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)
- Mucinex Sinus-Max
- Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain
- Claritin-D (Loratadine with Pseudoephedrine)
- Zyrtec-D (Cetirizine with Pseudoephedrine)
- Afrin (Oxymetazoline nasal spray)
- Tylenol Sinus + Headache
It’s important to note that Over-the-counter sinus medications should not be taken more than 3 days. If the symptoms of sinus drainage persist, consultation becomes mandatory for the timely diagnosis and right prescription.
Why won’t my sinus drainage go away?
Sinus drainage that does not go away can indicate several serious medical conditions or misalignment of nasal passages, including a deviated septum, nasal decongestion, nasal polyps, or chronic sinus infections.
If the OTC options are not providing relief or the symptoms persist, seek a doctor’s consultation to diagnose an underlying cause and prescribe medication to treat sinus drainage.
When to consult a doctor
Sinus drainage for a temporary period can be troublesome and affect the quality of life. Over-the-counter medications can provide temporary relief. In case of persistent sinus drainage along with inflammation or pain, make sure to consult your healthcare provider and get a timely diagnosis and the right prescription for the cause.
FAQs about sinus drainage
Yes, Drinking more water can definitely help with sinus drainage. Along with staying hydrated, inhaling steam and warm compress can help with symptomatic relief.
Recent studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can also cause sinus problems, often leading to chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
